x
Breaking News
More () »

Sunrise Snapshot: Wednesday, August 7

Here's what you need to know heading into Wednesday.

Minnesota groups to rally against gun violence

Hundreds of people are expected to gather outside of the Minnesota State Capitol Wednesday night for a rally against gun violence and hate. Members of Protect MN and MN Moms Demand Action are co-organizing the rally. They're demanding lawmakers on the state and federal levels take action and enact tougher gun laws, including criminal background checks for gun owners. "It's time for Minnesotans who are frustrated that nothing is being done about gun violence to get together at the state capitol and hope that we can help out legislators who understand that this needs to happen,"  said Rev. Nancy Nord Bence, executive director of Protect MN. The rally will run from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the south steps of the capitol. Speakers will include Governor Tim Walz, Senator Ron Latz, Representative Dave Pinto, leaders from the different faith communities, and Sami Rahamim, who is a survivor of gun violence.

China trade turmoil a hot topic at Farmfest

Credit: KARE
Farmfest fairground near Redwood Falls

Farmfest is the place to be in August if you've got something to sell to Minnesota farmers. That's why implement dealers, seed companies, bankers, politicians and many others converge on this piece of flat land two hours southwest of the Twin Cities. One thing farmers aren't looking to buy: more uncertainty about trade with China, which has been the biggest buyer of Minnesota soybeans. As part of ongoing trade dispute with the Trump Administration, China announced Tuesday it would halt further purchases of US agricultural products. Corn and soybean farmers and the industries that rely on them have spent decades building up international markets for Minnesota exports, but they'd be hard pressed to replace China's business. "It seems as though we’re just in a cat and mouse game and the president and the president of China are trying to call each other’s bluff. Through all of this agriculture is taking the biggest hit," Brian Thalmann, a fifth-generation farmer from Plato, Minn. told KARE. He grows soybeans, but most of his acreage is in corn, which goes to ethanol. Thalmann said Minnesota's ethanol industry has been holding out hope that China could become a market, as more people drive cars in that nation. He finds irony in the fact President Trump's trade maneuvers are aimed at producing more products in this country, but farmers were already leading the way when it came to that goal.

KARE 11 launches "88 Days: The Jayme Closs Story" podcast

On October 15, 2018, a couple was brutally murdered in a small Wisconsin town, and their 13-year-old daughter vanished without a trace. For 88 days, the search for Jayme Closs was a mystery that captivated the nation and left a grieving family holding its breath. 88 Days: The Jayme Closs Story is hosted by Emmy Award-winning KARE 11 reporter Lou Raguse and co-produced by KARE 11’s Ellie Coatar. The podcast spotlights the story of Jim and Denise Closs, and their 13-year-old daughter who vanished without a trace. Raguse and Coatar bring listeners inside the case each week, offering a fresh perspective on the three-month investigation including in-depth interviews, analysis and how the case unfolded. “The Jayme Closs case had a profound impact on me as I covered it for 88 days and beyond,” says Raguse. “It was unlike any story I’ve ever worked on. Now, I am eager to share the twists and turns and the Barron community’s message of hope in this format.”

WEATHER: Warm and muggy with chance for isolated storms

Credit: KARE 11
7-day weather forecast

Before You Leave, Check This Out